1887.] TRANSACTIONS. 21 



the precise worth of unusual ways of cultivation ; to decide be- 

 tween the genuine scientist and the glib charlatan ; and generally, 

 by the interchange and comparison of opinions, to avoid, or ex- 

 tricate ourselves from the ruts into wliich Societies, like commu- 

 nities, are apt to waste their strength, unless sharply watched and 

 occasionally startled by the introduction of unwonted forces. 

 Your Secretary would not advise too great haste in this matter, 

 should the suggestion meet with your approval. The Winter- 

 season of A. D. 1888-9, should be soon enough for the project to 

 come to a liead. Before that time, the entire scheme could be 

 elaborated, in ample leisure for themes to suggest themselves ; 

 and for all who cared to be essayists, to do themselves and their 

 subjects justice by adequate preparation. Since this Society 

 would never ofier premiums or any otlier encouragement for a 

 mere re-hash from the Encyclopaedia, it might well invite, and 

 suitably reward, that combination of sentient- brain-work and 

 watchful labor whereby the latent laws and silent forces of Na- 

 ture are keenly traced and sedulously pursued. There are Hor- 

 ticulturists in plenty who go through the world with their eyes 

 open ; and whose conclusions would be worth knowing ; who 

 might perhaps be persuaded to communicate of their knowledge, 

 upon sympathetic and sufficient inducement. There are problems 

 in Pomology that vex us continually upon which a ray of light 

 might lead to a subsequent illumination. Modesty must be drawn 

 out from its seclusion and brazen impudence repressed if we de- 

 sire eflfective achievement. And to decide the relative excellence 

 of the Essays it might be left with a Committee to consider which 

 treated of the most weighty topic, and most thoroughly eluci- 

 dated the matter under consideration. Or the superiority could 

 be estimated by propounding certain well-defined themes and 

 judging of the completeness and merit of their treatment. Your 

 Secretary would advocate the allowance of absolute freedom of 

 choice to Essayists in the selection of their subject-matter, having 

 no faith that shackles aid either mind or hand to do their best 

 work. 



The Gardeners' Monthly and Horticulturist upon the text of 



" Individual Horticultural Exhibitions," in one of its more recent 

 4 



